Felted Hook Case

[Krakovianka]

Back in December, I made several of these little felted cases.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/...a956356f2a.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/...f8f2718452.jpg

I was inspired by this leather pen case (made by a leather craftsman from Slovakia) that I use to hold my most-frequently used hooks. I thought other crocheters might find a little case handy, and it is a great way to use up a bit of wool leftover from a larger felting project, or to experiment with felting if you haven't tried before. Because it is so small, you can even felt the object by hand instead of using the washing machine (check the fulling and felting forum for information on hand-felting).

It had been my intention to share the pattern in December as a sort of Christmas-present Thank You for all the encouragement, inspiration, and fellowship I have enjoyed at Crochetville. However, I found writing a pattern to be much more difficult than crocheting, and it took me quite a while to get it all into words. It has been tested (thank you, Auntbubbels!), and I hope someone else will enjoy making these little cases, too.

They are nice for holding a few hooks when you are out and about, and would also make a terrific protective case for delicate wooden hooks.


Felted Hook Case

Materials: Worsted weight wool, size K crochet hook, and darning needle.

Pattern is worked in rounds. Each round is closed with a slip stitch. The initial chain 2 in some rounds counts as a hdc.

Ch. 7

Round 1: Hdc in 3rd chain from hook (first 2 stitches count as first hdc) and in next 4 stitches. Without reversing work, hdc in the opposite sides of next 5 stitches, and in the next chain stitch (which is the 'bottom' of the first hdc, formed from 2 chains). Close round with sl st in the top of the first hdc (which is made from 2 chains). There are a total of 12 hdc in this round.

Rounds 2-3: Chain 2, hdc in each of next 11 stitches, close round with sl st in top of ch. 2.

Round 4: Chain 2, hdc in same stitch; hdc in next 5 stitches. 2 hdc in next stitch; hdc in next 5 stitches. Close with sl st in top of ch 2. (14 hdc in total)

Rounds 5-6: Chain 2, hdc in each of next 13 stitches, close round with sl st in top of ch. 2.

Round 7: Chain 2, hdc in same stitch; hdc in next 6 stitches. 2 hdc in next stitch; hdc in next 6 stitches. Close with sl st in top of ch 2. (16 hdc in total)

Rounds 8-9: Chain 2, hdc in each of next 15 stitches, close round with sl st in top of ch. 2.

Round 10: Chain 2, hdc in same stitch; hdc in next 7 stitches. 2 hdc in next stitch; hdc in next 7 stitches. Close with sl st in top of ch 2. (18 hdc in total)

Rounds 11-12: Chain 2, hdc in each of next 17 stitches, close round with sl st in top of ch. 2.

Round 13: Chain 2, hdc in same stitch; hdc in next 8 stitches. 2 hdc in next stitch; hdc in next 8 stitches. Close with sl st in top of ch 2. (20 hdc in total)

Rounds 14-15: Chain 2, hdc in each of next 19 stitches, close round with sl st in top of ch. 2.

Lay case on a flat surface. There should be 20 stitches in the last round, so ten stitches should be visible on the side facing you (which will be the *back* side of the case). Mark stitch number 1, and stitch number 10, being sure that these stitches lie on the sides of the case. If your working stitch (the loop where your hook is) is not in stitch number 1 (and which stitches lie on the sides will vary according to the yarn used and the tightness of the stitches), slip stitch to stitch number 1. From this point on, you will be working rows instead of rounds.

Row 1: ch 2 (counts as first hdc) and turn. Hdc in each of the next 9 stitches (you should end in stitch number 10, and the markers are no longer needed). (10 hdc total).

Row 2: ch 1, turn, skip first stitch, and hdc in next stitch (decrease made). Hdc in next 6 stitches, then hdc last two stitches together.

Row 3: ch 2 (counts as first hdc) and turn. Hdc in each of the next 7 stitches. (8 hdc total)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, skip first stitch, and hdc in next stitch (decrease made). Hdc in next 4 stitches, then hdc last two stitches together.

Row 5: ch 2 (counts as first hdc) and turn. Hdc in each of the next 5 stitches. (6 hdc total)

Row 6: ch 1, turn, skip first stitch, and hdc in next stitch (decrease made). Hdc in next 2 stitches, then hdc last two stitches together.

Row 7: ch 2 (counts as first hdc) and turn. Hdc in each of the next 3 stitches. (4 hdc total)

Row 8: ch 1, turn, skip first stitch, and hdc in next stitch (decrease made). Hdc last two stitches together. Tie off and weave in end.

Optional closing band:

Attach yarn to the front side of the case at round 17 or 18 (whichever looks best on your case), and sc twice in the side of the hdc. *ch 1, turn, sc in each of the two sc. Repeat from * until band almost reaches the opposite side. Tie off and cut, leaving a tail long enough to sew the band to the opposite side of round 17 or 18. It should be fairly snug, without distorting the case as it lies flat.

Felt in the usual manner, then carefully block and shape the case while it is still wet (wool is very flexible while wet, but will hold its shape very well after it dries). You may want to stuff a plastic grocery bag into the case, and use the handle of a wooden spoon to shape the it (you can remove the bag while drying, or leave it in). Allow to dry thoroughly. Needle-felted embellishments can be added after the case is dry, and a snap or velcro can be sewn on to close the flap instead of making a band.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/...c0792129_m.jpg

Copyright 2008

I must add that, while the pattern is mine (such as it is), I consider the objects you make from it to be yours, and as far as I'm concerned, you are free to do anything you like with them.


From me to all of you--

[RachelG]

Cute! Thanks!

[TMKA]

So cute! What a great idea. Thank you very much!

[Sleepystitcher]

Dziękuje! I definitely plan on making at least one of these!

[CrochetLiving]

Once again, you have knocked my socks off! Thank you!

[auntbubbels]

I am on my third one and even if you don't follow the instruction 100% they still come out nice. Tomorrow I will felt them - one I did with acrylic yarn, I though it was wool but it wasn't. They are cute gifts

[Darcie]

Those are darling...and a perfect little somethin' somethin' for oneself!

Thank you for the directions! Felting/fulling is so fun, is it not! (And addicting, I might add.)

[yarncat]

Wonderful use of scraps!Thanks for the pattern.

[asabear]

Thanks, things like these are not only pretty but also useful, the best kind

[cupcake]

They are very natty. I also love the original leather one. What beautiful workmanship.